Adding the Constitution to the Pledge of Allegiance
In Summary
Adding the Constitution to the Pledge of Allegiance:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag and to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which they stand, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
Adding the Constitution to the Pledge of Allegiance:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag and to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which they stand, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
Adding the Constitution to the Pledge of Allegiance:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag and to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which they stand, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
There have been four changes to the Pledge since 1892, the last being the addition of “under God” in 1954. Adding “and to the Constitution” would be the fifth.
The original Pledge was written in August 1892 by Francis Bellamy working at his job as promotions manager for The Youth’s Companion family weekly.
Adding the Constitution aligns the Pledge with American oaths of public office and service, all of which promise “…to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America….”
Adding the Constitution raises the Pledge from a child’s schoolroom recitation to an adult’s commitment of civic responsibility, without putting it beyond the reach of children.
An overwhelming majority of Americans who have heard this idea to date – right, left, center – like it. It’s an idea that appears to unite rather than divide our citizenry. That’s a good thing.